The corners of her mouth revealed a very faint smile.

Because, from An Le's recent reaction, she was sure...

Even if Xiao Huan invited her today, it was absolutely not a date!

Moreover, An Le and Xiao Huan haven't made any actual progress at all!

At most, some of Xiao Huan's actions made An Le misunderstand, leading her to have some unrequited hopes.

Indeed, all her previous suspicions were completely baseless.

If because of this she loses control again over Xiao Huan...

Indeed, self-discipline is the right choice.

Skepticism is a sign of insecurity.

The more it is so, the more likely it is to be prophetic.

On the contrary, now with self-discipline, all doubts have dissipated...

"Huh? Anyway, you earlier also..."

"Alright, Bai Yi."

Just as Bai Yi was about to mutter to An Le, Ye Shiyu gently reached out her hand and stopped her.

This certainly puzzled Bai Yi.

She looked at Ye Shiyu with surprise, but beneath her expressionless face, there was a hint of calmness, as if everything was clear without words.

"...Your brain short-circuited?"

Bai Yi's mouth froze slightly, asking through gritted teeth.

Ye Shiyu just glanced at her, retorting,

"...If it was a date, or even if she and Xiao Huan had any progress, why would Spencer and Sakuragi Hitomi be there?"

"...That's true."

Bai Yi pouted, realizing she had been too hasty.

She now realized, her feelings weren't wholly as she had claimed:

Even if Yan Huan's dance partner wasn't her, even if Yan Huan rejected her invitation, she'd accept the outcome.

To this, Bai Yi felt she had been influenced by Ye Shiyu.

"Then...what are you guys doing here?"

Bai Yi gathered herself, quietly distanced herself from Ye Shiyu, and looked curiously at An Le and Spencer.

Seeing these two already fully caught in the act, An Le showed no sign of surprise.

After all, she was deliberately acting this way.

The first question to Spencer was inadvertent, secretly revealing Sakuragi Hitomi and this reconciliation plan.

Then continuing to maintain the previous hostile stance, without revealing any flaw.

"...Let's go, Spencer."

An Le was still a bit clumsy with such deceit, her heart pounding.

Little did she know, all of this was routine for Yan Huan. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

But on the surface, she still glanced at Ye Shiyu and the group emptily, not intending to respond, pulling Spencer's arm and heading into the bookstore.

"Oh? Alright..."

"Hey, you!"

Ignoring Bai Yi, An Le angered her, puffing her cheeks.

Ye Shiyu watched her back, and explained expressionlessly,

"It's probably Sakuragi Hitomi's handiwork... Didn't she say earlier she would talk to An Le about ceasefire?"

"So she teamed up with Xiao Huan to help her reconcile with Spencer...

"Really good at using pacification tactics."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yi blinked and nodded,

"Oh, so that's it..."

As she agreed, she secretly took out her phone.

Opened the browser, typed "pacification" in pinyin, trying to find its meaning.

But not knowing which two characters it was, she gave up.

"An Le, Aria!"

Right then, Yan Huan came up to this floor from the elevator on the other side.

Seeing An Le holding hands with Spencer, he knew the reconciliation plan was a success.

He breathed a sigh of relief but pretended not to notice Ye Shiyu and Bai Yi were there.

Though he was mentally prepared for their challenge, he even had a draft ready in his mind.

"..."

"Tsk-tsk-tsk, calling her Aria, so sweet..."

On the side, Ye Shiyu squinted at Yan Huan's nickname for Spencer.

Bai Yi, without pretense, rolled her eyes behind sunglasses.

The acidic aroma couldn't be concealed, seemingly overflowing the lenses.

"Hey, Sister Shiyu, Bai Yi? Are you guys here too?"

However, the next second, Yan Huan found them and looked over.

Bai Yi's eye roll instantly became an impeccable smile, even waving at him,

"Hi, Yan Huan～"

Ye Shiyu pursed her lipstick-covered lips, a bit nervous from Yan Huan's gaze, she reached out to sweep her black hair...

Simultaneously, she cautiously gauged Yan Huan's impression of her makeup today.

"..."

Wait a sec, today these two's atmosphere... seems quite harmonious, eh?

Originally, Yan Huan came over bracing for a chaotic scene, but it turned out so normal?

Thinking of this, Yan Huan couldn't help but glance back at An Le and Spencer.

Spencer still smiled innocently, while An Le pressed her lips, secretly winking at him.

It's An Le indeed...

Knowing it was An Le's doing, Yan Huan sighed with relief, couldn't help but exclaim,

"Ah, indeed, having allies is different... Those days when fighting alone were really harsh..."

"Wasn't I there before, meow? I'm your ally too!"

On his shoulder, Meow-chan materialized, nudging his cheek with paw pads, reminding him not to "forget the old cat because of the new."

"Hehe."

"Meow?!"

Yan Huan said nonchalantly, but a perfect smile appeared on his face, walking towards them,

"Sister Shiyu, did you do makeup today?"

"...Yeah."

Ye Shiyu nodded expressionlessly, but her hand hidden behind her was gradually clenching her skirt.

Bai Yi secretly glanced at the hand she hid behind, again at her inexplicably cute expression, suddenly sensing danger.